The Los Angeles Dodgers’ search for an outfielder during the offseason led to the signing of longtime Arizona Diamondbacks staple David Peralta to a one-year contract for the 2023 season.
The 35-year-old spent parts of nine seasons with the Diamondbacks before he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays at the deadline last year. He hit a combined .251/.316/.415 with 30 doubles, 12 home runs and 59 RBI over 134 games between the two clubs in 2022.
Peralta faced his former Diamondbacks teammates for the first time last week during the Opening Series at Dodger Stadium, and now is at Chase Field as an opposing player.
Peralta enjoyed being back at his old stomping grounds and catching up with former teammates and coaches, per SportsNet LA:
“It’s good to be home. I’m always going to call Arizona home, because obviously it was the first team that gave me an opportunity to follow my dream and make my dream come true. I always have to say thank you to the D-Backs organization, all my teammates, they always were good to me, and the fans too. It’s going to be a special day for me. A lot of emotion. I just have to be ready.”
In his first game back at Chase Field, Peralta went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Peralta went hitless in appearances off the bench the next two nights, then was 1-for-5 with an RBI double in a start on Sunday.
The veteran outfielder has gotten off to a slow start this season, collecting only four hits in his first 23 at-bats with the Dodgers. He also had a failed stolen base attempt during one of the Dodgers’ losses, which Peralta put blame on his shoulders for.
David Peralta booed by Diamondbacks fans
Although Peralta was excited to be back at Chase Field and has fond memories of his career with the Diamondbacks, he didn’t receive the warmest greeting from the sold-out crowd.
There were some boos from Diamondbacks fans during lineup introductions and again when a tribute video was played between innings.
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